Reusable Pinata with Variable Release

ABSTRACT

A reusable piñata system having a hollow body with a first end and a second end. The second end contains at least one opening. Slots are disposed in the hollow body. A shaft extends into the hollow body. An obstruction is coupled to the shaft that is sized to obstruct the opening in the second end of the hollow body. The shaft is selectively positionable between a closed position and an open position. Platforms engage the shaft within the hollow body. The platforms are selectively rotatable in position about the shaft. Pull pins are disposed in the slots. The pull pins extend into the hollow body and at least some of the pull pins engage the platforms to hold the shaft in its closed position. When all the pull pins that engage the platforms are removed, gravity causes the shaft to fall to the open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to piñatas and other novelty devices that hold a volume of candy or toys that are dispensed when the novelty device is opened. More particularly, the present invention relates to piñatas and similar novelty devices that are refillable and reusable.

2. Prior Art Description

Traditionally, a piñata is a figure that is filled with candy or small prizes. The figure is suspended and struck with a stick until it is broken and the contents spill onto the floor. The original piñatas were made from clay pots and the word piñata comes from the word ‘pignatta’ which means fragile pot. In Europe, the tradition of filling a piñata and striking it became a religious activity associated with the first Sunday of Lent. This religious tradition spread to Spain in the 14th century. Spanish missionaries then brought this tradition to the Americas. Native Aztec Indians had a similar game to celebrate the Aztec god of war and soon the two traditions merged.

Over the years, the use of a piñata changed from a religious activity to a celebration activity. Piñatas are now used to celebrate holidays and special days, such as birthdays.

Modern piñatas are no longer made of clay. Rather, for the sake of both cost and safety, most piñatas are made of papier-mâché. However, the piñata is still filled with candy and small toys. The piñata is also still broken open by having blindfolded children take turns swinging a stick and trying to strike the piñata.

The act of blindfolding a child and then having that child swing a stick wildly toward a piñata presents obvious dangers. Often a blindfolded child swings a stick and strikes another child or a breakable object. Furthermore, when a child does strike a piñata, the piñata typically does not open fully. Rather, it opens a little and some candy falls out. This causes other children to run to the piñata while the blindfolded child is still swinging the stick. Again, an obvious danger is presented.

In an attempt to make piñatas less dangerous, piñatas have been redesigned with non-violent release mechanisms. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,078, to Oquita, entitled Pull-Pin Piñata, a piñata is shown having a hidden door. Numerous strings are loosely glued to the door. Only one of the strings is tied to the door. If a child pulls one of the loosely glued strings, the string pulls free and the door remains closed. However, when a child pulls the one tied string, the door opens and the contents of the piñata fall to the floor.

Such prior art pull-string piñatas share one undesirable feature with traditional piñatas. That feature is the inability to conveniently reassemble and refill the piñata so it can be used again. Thus, the piñata has remained a disposable, one-use item.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,106, to Menow, the applicant herein, a reusable piñata is provided that has a pull pin release. The piñata has multiple pull pins that can be randomly pulled by children. When the last of a selected group of pins is pulled, the piñata releases its contents. The piñata can then be refilled and reused.

The Applicant has improved upon the initial design by making a piñata system that is both easier to use and easier to manufacture. The improved piñata system is described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a reusable piñata system and its associated method of use. The piñata system uses a hollow body having a first end and a second end. The second end contains at least one opening that leads into the hollow body. Slots are disposed in the hollow body. A shaft extends into the hollow body.

An obstruction is coupled to the shaft that is sized to obstruct any opening in the second end of the hollow body. The shaft is selectively positionable between a closed position, where the shaft positions the obstruction to obstruct the opening at the second end of the hollow body, and an open position where the shaft positions the obstruction away from the opening at the second end of the hollow body.

Platforms are provided that engage the shaft within the hollow body. The platforms are selectively rotatable in position about the shaft. Pull pins are disposed in the slots of the hollow body. The pull pins extend into the hollow body and at least some of the pull pins engage the platforms to hold the shaft in its closed position. When all the pull pins that engage the support element are removed, gravity causes the shaft to fall to the open position. This moves the obstruction away from the opening at the second end of the hollow body. Once the obstruction moves away from the opening, any loose material stored in the hollow body falls out of the hollow body, therein acting as an opened piñata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a reusable piñata system;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the reusable piñata system being filled with prizes;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the reusable piñata system in a ready condition; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the piñata system in an open spent condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As with traditional piñatas, the present invention piñata can be made in many shapes and styles. In the shown embodiment of the present invention piñata, the piñata has a simple tubular shape. Such a body shape is merely exemplary and is used to clearly illustrate the working components of the present invention piñata. It will therefore be understood that the present invention piñata can also be produced in many different shapes and that the shown embodiment is not a limitation on the body appearances the present invention piñata may take.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a reusable piñata system 10 is shown. The piñata system 10 includes a hollow body 12. The hollow body 12 is hexagonal in cross-section. The hexagonal cross-section of the hollow body 12 is only exemplary and it will be understood that the hollow body 12 can be made into many polygonal shapes and even a cylindrical shape.

Slots 14 are formed in the hollow body 12. Pull pins 16 are inserted into the slots 14. The pull pins 16 preferably have enlarged heads 17 so that the heads 17 of the pull pins 16 can be easily grasped and pulled. The hollow body 12 is filled with candy, small prizes and the like. The volume of the prizes can be selectively controlled and is limited only by the internal volume of the tubular body 12.

To utilize the piñata system 10, the hollow body 12 is filled with candy and/or prizes and is suspended using handle straps or similar tethers (not shown). Once the hollow body 12 is filled and suspended, children take turns removing the pull pins 16. When a certain number of the pull pins 16 are removed, the contents of the hollow body 12 are released from the bottom of the hollow body 12 and are allowed to fall to the floor. The pull pins 16 that need to be removed cannot be determined by viewing the exterior of the hollow body 12. Consequently, a child cannot determine which of the pull pins 16 will cause the candy and prizes to be released. The pull pins 16 that need to be removed to trigger the piñata system 10 may be set by the manufacturer or may be made adjustable to enable the person who fills the hollow body 12 to set the triggering sequence. After the candy and prizes are released, the pull pins 16 can be reinserted. The hollow body 12 can be refilled and the piñata system 10 is ready to be used again.

Referring now to both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the mechanics of the piñata system 10 are explained. The hollow body 12 is tubular in shape, having an open top end 21 and an open bottom end 20. Multiple slots 14 are formed along all sides of the hollow body 12. A pull pin 16 is provided for each of the slots 14. In the shown embodiment, the hollow body 12 has a hexagonal shape. As such, it has six sides and slots 14 are formed in all six sides. Other polygonal shapes can alternately be used for the hollow body 12. For example, the hollow body can be triangular, square, pentagonal, heptagonal, octagonal or even round. The illustrated hexagonal shape is merely exemplary.

A top closure 18 is provided to cover the open top end 21 of the hollow body 12. On the opposite side of the hollow body 12, an end cap assembly 30 is provided to obstruct the open bottom end 20. The end cap assembly 30 includes a conical barrier 24. Windows 31 are formed in the conical barrier 24. The windows are covered by a removable cap 25. The removable cap 25 attaches to the underside of the conical barrier 24 and can be manually set in place or removed by the user of the piñata. As such, the windows 31 in the conical barrier 24 can be opened or closed by adding or removing the removable cap 25. With the removable cap 25 and conical barrier 24 in place, no material can pass out of the bottom end of the hollow body 12.

A shaft 26 or equivalent elongated support element is provided. The shaft 26 extends down the center of the hollow body 12. The bottom of the shaft 26 attaches to the conical barrier 24 of the end cap assembly 30. Thus, the shaft 26 is attached to the conical barrier 24. As such, the shaft 26 and the conical barrier 24 can move in unison.

A plurality of shaft platforms 32 are provided. Each shaft platform 32 has a central cylinder 34 that defines a conduit 36. The conduit 36 is sized to receive the shaft 26. As such, the shaft 26 can pass through the conduit 36. The shaft platforms 32 are free to rotate about the shaft 26. Rotation may be hindered by the shaft platforms 32 contacting the interior of the hollow body 12. However, if the hollow body 12 were cylindrical, or if the shaft platforms 32 where just short enough to provide clearance, the shaft platforms 32 can be rotated. Likewise, if any of the shaft platforms 32 extend outside the hollow platform 12 when the piñata is triggered, those exposed shaft platforms 32 can also be selectively rotated.

A plurality of flanges 38 radially extend from the central cylinder 34. Each of the flanges 38 terminates with a contact bar 39. The number of flanges 38 and contact bars 39 on each shaft platform 32 is always less in number than the number of sides present on the hollow body 12. In the illustrated case, each of the shaft platforms 32 has three flanges 38. The hollow body 12 is a hexagon and has six sides. Each shaft platform 32, therefore, has three less flanges 38 and three less contact bars 39 than the number of sides on the hollow body 12.

A plurality of shaft platforms 32 are positioned on the shaft 26. The central cylinders 34 of the shaft platforms 32 are oriented by contact with the interior of the hollow tube 12. As such, the shaft platforms 32 remain in place on the shaft 26 wherever they are positioned within the hollow tube. The shaft platforms 32 can be positioned on the shaft 26 in either an upright position or an inverted position. Regardless, once placed around the shaft 26, the shaft platforms 32 position the flanges 38 and the contact bars 39 immediately adjacent the slots 14 along only some of the sides of the hollow body 12. Each shaft platform 32 defines at least one open area 40 between flanges 38. The open area 40 aligns with one of the slots 14 along at least one side of the hollow body 12. Each of the shaft platforms 32 can be set in place by the manufacturer. Alternatively, the shaft platforms 32 can be manufactured to rotate about the shaft 26. If so, the shaft platforms can be manually rotated on the shaft 26. This enables the location of the open areas 40 on each of the shaft platforms 32 to be selectively changed by rotating the shaft platform 32.

In the shown embodiment, four shaft platforms 32 are shown. This number is merely exemplary and it should be understood that any plurality of shaft platforms 32 can be used. In the shown embodiment, there are five levels of pull pins 16. Thus, up to five shaft platforms 32 can be used, wherein one shaft platform 32 exists for each level of pull pins 16.

Each shaft platform 32 partially obstructs the interior of the hollow body 12 only where the flanges 38 extend. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the shaft platforms 32 has three flanges 38. Thus, they obstruct the hollow body 12 toward three of the six walls. The open areas 40 between flanges 38 that lead to the other three walls remain unobstructed. The location of the open areas depends solely upon the rotational position of the shaft platform 32 on the shaft 26. The position of open areas 40 may be altered by rotating the position of the shaft platforms 32 on the shaft 26.

The shaft 26 extends out of the hollow body 12 through a hole 37 in the top lid 18. However, the shaft 26 does not engage the top closure 18. A stop knob 41 is attached to the top end of the shaft 26. The stop knob 41 is affixed to the shaft 26 and is larger than a hole in the top closure 18. Consequently, the shaft 26 is free to reciprocate through the top closure 18 until the stop knob 41 abuts against the top closure 18.

A removable spacer 42 is provided that fits around the shaft 26. The removable spacer 42 is placed between the stop knob 41 and the top closure 18 before the piñata system 10 is ready for use. The removable spacer 42 contacts the stop knob 41, and thus holds the top end of the shaft 26 in an extended position. This extended position corresponds to the position where the shaft 26 holds the end cap assembly 30 in obstruction to the bottom of the hollow body 12.

Referring solely to FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 3, it can be seen that in order to fill the hollow body 12 with candy or prizes 44, the spacer 42 is set in place so that the conical barrier 24 abuts against the hollow body 12. The removable cap 25 is manually removed to exposes the windows 31 in the conical barrier. This enables candy and prizes 44 to be poured into the hollow body 12 through the windows 31. Once the hollow body 12 is filled with a desired volume of candy and prizes 44, the windows 31 of the conical barrier 24 are again covered with the removable cap 25. The piñata system 10 is then ready for use.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 in conjunction with FIG. 3, it can be seen that candy and prizes 44 are positioned inside the hollow body 12 atop the end cap assembly 30. The shaft platforms 32 rest upon the pull pins 16 and are prevented from falling down into the hollow body 12 by the presence of the pull pins 16. Some of the pull pins 16 align with the open areas 40 of the shaft platforms 32. When a pull pin 16 aligns with an open area 40 on a shaft platform 32, there is no support connection made between the pull pin 16 and the shaft platform 32 at that point.

Once the shaft platforms 32 are resting on the pull pins 16 and the hollow body 12 is filled with candy and prizes 44, the piñata system 10 is primed for use. The piñata system 10 is suspended in the air. The spacer 42 around the shaft 26 above the top closure 18 is removed, the removeable spacer 42 is removed from the opposite end, and the piñata system 10 is ready for play.

To play a piñata game with the piñata system 10, children are told to pull one of the pull pins 16 from the hollow body 12. If a child pulls a pull pin 16 that is not supporting a shaft platform 32, then nothing happens. If a child pulls a pull pin 16 aligned with an open area 40 on a shaft platform 32, then nothing happens. Furthermore, if a child pulls a pull pin 16 that is supporting a shaft platform 32, then nothing happens provided other supporting pull pins 16 remain. It is only when one pull pin 16 remains, that is supporting one of the shaft platforms 32, that the piñata system 10 can be triggered.

From FIG. 6, it can be seen that once the last supporting pull pin 16 is removed, nothing supports the shaft platforms 32 in the hollow body 12. The shaft platforms 32 therefore fall downwardly in the hollow body 12. As the shaft platforms 32 descend, they cause the shaft 26 to descend. The shaft 26 is attached to the end cap assembly 30, and the end cap 30 descends below the bottom of the hollow body 12 and no longer obstructs the open bottom end 20 of the hollow body 12. A gap 45 therefore is created between the open bottom end 20 of the hollow body 12 and the end cap assembly 30. This gap 45 is large enough for the candy and prizes 44 to pass.

Once the candy and prizes 44 flow out of the hollow body 12, the falling candy and prizes 44 strike the end cap assembly 30 that is suspended below the hollow body 12 by the shaft 26. The conical shape of the end cap assembly 30 acts as a deflector and deflects the falling candy and prizes 44 laterally. As such, the candy and prizes 44 do not fall into a confined pile, but the candy and prizes 44 are rather widely dispersed on the ground.

Once the pull pins 16 are set under the shaft platforms 32, the hollow body 12 is again filled with candy and prizes 44 in the manner previously described. The piñata system 10 is then again ready for use.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention piñata system that has been illustrated can be modified by a person skilled in the art using functionally equivalent components to those shown. For example, the pull pins can be replaced with the sticks of lollipops. A flexible tether can be used as a support element in place of the center shaft to support the shaft platforms and the end cap. Furthermore, the hollow body can be formed into most any figure or shape. All such modification, variations and alternate embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as it is claimed below. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A reusable piñata system for holding and dispensing candy, comprising: a hollow body for retaining said candy, said hollow body having a first end and a second end, wherein said second end contains at least one opening that leads into said hollow body through which said candy can pass; slots disposed in said hollow body, wherein said slot provide access into said hollow body; a shaft having a closure at one end that is sized to obstruct said at least one opening in said second end of said hollow body, said shaft extending into said hollow body, wherein said shaft is selectively positionable between a closed position, where said shaft positions said closure to obstruct said at least one opening at said second end of said hollow body, and an open position where said shaft positions said closure away from said at least one opening at said second end of said hollow body; platforms supported in said hollow body by said shaft, each of said platforms has flanges that radially extend away from said shaft, wherein at least one open area exists between said flanges in each of said platforms through which said candy can pass inside said hollow body, and wherein each said central cylinder is selectively rotatable in position about said shaft; and pull pins disposed in said slots of said hollow body, wherein said pull pins extend into said hollow body and at least some of said pull pins engage said platforms to hold said shaft in said closed position, wherein when all of said pull pins that engage said platforms are removed, gravity causes said shaft to fall to said open position, therein moving said closure away from said at least one opening at said second end of said hollow body.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said hollow body has a polygonal cross-section with side surfaces that are symmetrically disposed around said shaft.
 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said slots are disposed in said side surfaces of said hollow body.
 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein each of said flanges on said platforms extend to only some of said side surfaces.
 5. The system according to 4, wherein said central cylinder of each of said platforms engage said shaft with a friction fit that enables said platforms to be selectively rotated about said shaft.
 6. A reusable piñata system, comprising: a hollow container having an opening; a closure sized to block said opening, wherein said closure is positionable between an open position, where said opening is unblocked by said closure, and a closed position, where said opening is blocked by said closure, and wherein said closure is biased into said open position by gravity; a shaft coupled to said closure, wherein said shaft extends into said container and moves with said closure as said closure moves between said open position and said closed position: platforms supported by said shaft within said container, each of said platforms having flanges that radially extend away from shaft, therein providing open areas between said flanges on each of said platforms, wherein said platforms are selectively positionable on said shaft, therein enabling said open areas between said flanges to be positionably adjustable within said container; slots formed in said hollow container, wherein said slots provide access to said platforms within said hollow container; a plurality of removable elements extending into said hollow container through said slots, wherein at least one of said removable elements contacts one of said platforms within said hollow container and retains said shaft and said closure in said closed position until removed.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said hollow container is tubular and has a polygonal cross-section with side surfaces that are symmetrically disposed around said shaft.
 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said slots are disposed in said side surfaces of said hollow container.
 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said flanges on each of said platforms extend to only some of said side surfaces.
 10. The system according to 6, wherein said platforms engage said shaft with a friction fit that enables said platforms to be selectively rotated about said shaft.
 11. A reusable piñata system for dispensing candy, comprising: a tubular container having an open bottom end; a shaft that extends into said tubular container through said open bottom end, said shaft having a closure attached thereto, wherein said closure sized to block said open bottom end, and wherein said shaft moves said closure between an open position, where said open bottom end is open, and a closed position, where said open bottom end is blocked by said closure, said shaft and said closure being biased into said open position by gravity; candy filling at least part of said tubular container; platforms supported by said shaft within said container, each of said platforms having flanges that radially extend away from said shaft, wherein open areas exist between said flanges on each of said platforms through which said candy can pass; slots formed in said tubular container, wherein said slots provide access to said platforms within said hollow container; and a plurality of removable elements extending into said hollow container through said slots, wherein at least one of said removable elements contacts one of said platforms within said hollow container and retains said shaft and said closure in said closed position until removed.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said tubular body has a polygonal cross-section with side surfaces that are symmetrically disposed around said shaft.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said slots are disposed in said side surfaces of said tubular body.
 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said flanges on each of said platforms extend toward only some of said side surfaces.
 15. The system according to 4, wherein said platforms engage said shaft with a friction fit that enables said flanges to be selectively rotated about said shaft. 